I 



CHAPTER V. 



TROPICAL REGIONS. 



(a) TROPICAL HIGHLANDS. 



T is proposed in this chapter to review in detail the present and 

 the probable future contributions of the tropical regions 

 towards the world's supplies of animal foodstuffs. Owing to 

 essential differences these regions are divided into two main groups* 

 namely, tropical highlands and tropical lowlands, the former of 

 which will be dealt with first. 



Among the highlands of tropical Africa, Abyssinia should be 

 noted as being climatically suited to live-stock, and as producing 

 " magnificent long-horned cattle, donkeys, goats and sheep." 

 The climate is warm, temperate, owing to high elevation in a low 

 latitude, and this, combined with a rainfall of not less than 

 50 inches, makes the conditions ideal for domestic animals. 

 However, the peculiarly isolated position of the country and the 

 complete lack of modern means of communication with the outside 

 world has been an effective bar to production for export, except, 

 perhaps in the form of live animals driven to the neighbouring 

 districts. In any case, the primitive nature of the economy of the 

 whole of this region of tropical Northern Africa east of the Nile, 

 and the conservative, self-contained habits of the people, make 

 overseas trade in animal products at the present time, almost out 

 of the question. European influence, capital and methods will 

 have to be much stronger in the country before any considerable 

 surplus of live animals or animal produce will be raised there, 

 however suitable the natural conditions may be. It is extremely 

 doubtful whether any far-reaching change in this direction will 

 be made during the next two decades. 



Tropical Asia in general contains few highlands where the rain- 

 fall and other conditions are favourable to the raising of meat- 

 producing animals, except perhaps towards the south-eastern 

 margin. Such animals as are raised are used mainly for draught 

 purposes, especially in India. The exceptions above noted occur 

 in Southern China and in Indo-China which are gradually increasing 

 their importance as cattle-raising regions. 1 The means of trans- 

 port and the methods of animal husbandry are both backward 

 and hinder extensive development. In addition, the habits of 

 the people and the needs of the population favour crop-cultiva- 

 tion wherever possible. It is doubtful whether this region will 

 rise to a place of any great importance in furnishing supplies of 

 surplus animal foodstuffs, even with the help of foreign capital in 

 the development of live-stock industries. 



1 U.S. Daily Commerce Reports, Jan. 23rd, 1911. 



